Pictured: Sian Rubelli with some of her finds – Kantha quilts, wall-hanging, Bolga fans, and Kantha baby quilts she has sourced from around Africa and the world. Pictures by Wilma Towell Photography
In October last year Shelby Finds – an artisanal home furnishing business – was born out of a passion for collecting unique craftwork from a variety of countries, writes Lee Currie.
After 14 years as a flight attendant based in Dubai, Sian Rubelli hung up her wings and moved back to Durban with her husband Lance after their son Nathan was born. Sian continued her career in the hospitality industry within the recruitment sector, but when lockdown happened and the hospitality and aviation industry essentially shut down, Sian was motivated to start her own business.
Having visited an impressive 65 countries during her stint in the skies, Sian had filled her home with a fascinating collection of ornaments, wall-hangings, handicrafts, even furniture, from Malawi, Mali, Ghana, India and South Africa – each as unique as the next piece. Her plan was to make these finds available to like-minded people in South Africa: “Most of us aren’t travelling much at the moment, so Shelby Finds (named after her rescue cat brought from Dubai) is about bringing a taste of the exotic and unusual; beautiful pieces of art that will infuse personality and whimsy into your space.”
“Social media is an invaluable resource that has allowed us to gain sales opportunities and engage with customers. Instagram, in particular, is Shelby Finds’ biggest marketing tool in terms of establishing and maintaining our brand identity,” comments Sian, who lives in Sunningdale.
The products are sourced from an eclectic mix of craftspeople: Hand-tufted wool rugs and Kantha quilts from Jaipur, Bolga fans from the Bolgatanga community of Ghana, mud cloth wall-hangings from Mali, a bespoke range of bowls made by Cape Town ceramicist Gemma Orkin and more. “I am loving forging relationships with suppliers and have ‘met’ some awesome female fellow entrepreneurs,” enthuses Sian.
Sian’s latest project is designing a new range of textiles with artisans in Jaipur and working with local KZN wood-carving artists creating unique furniture pieces. She has recently started wholesaling to boutiques nationwide.
While many entrepreneurs are concerned about competitors, Sian’s mindset is refreshing: “There’s an African proverb that resonates with my belief in collaboration over competition. If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together.”
FOR MORE INFO:
Shelby Finds can be found online and at select retail stores in KZN; www.shelbyfinds.co.za; Instagram @shelby_finds; Facebook @shelbyfinds.co.za